What to expect from a visit to diagnose your varicose veins

At the initial office visit, the doctor will gather information about your medical history, examine your legs while you stand or sit, and ask more questions to determine the extent of your vein issues, including:

• Are you feeling any pain, like burning or itchiness?
• Do your legs feel swollen or heavy?
• Do any of your veins feel tender or warm?
• Are there times when the pain feels worse?

The doctor will look for signs of blood clots, which might be indicated by inflammation and a red streak along a vein.

An ultrasound test might be the final step before a discussion about how to treat any vein disease. An ultrasound creates a picture of the veins so the physician can diagnose malfunctioning valves in the vein or other problems.